MONROVIA: The Women NGOs Secretariat of Liberia (WONGOSOL), has alarmed about the numerous challenges the women of Liberia face, particularly inequalities and proportionality in leadership and decision-making at all levels.
WONGOSOL expressed interest in having more gender balance in Government as it relates to presidential appointments in government.
According to the women group, the women of Liberia are committed to delivering on their obligations to regional and international instruments and to Liberian women relative to promoting legal and policy reforms.
“We hope that you will make a minimum of 30% women in your cabinet with a view towards gender balance at all levels of appointment within the executive branch,” the group said.
In a statement issued over the weekend, WONGOSOL expressed the hope that the new government will consider carefully also the position of Gender Minister, as there is a great need for a minister who would unite the women’s movement and mobilize the women towards a more peaceful, democratic and prosperous country.
“Similarly, women comprise just 4-6% of Liberia’s chieftaincy positions from general town chief to paramount chief and are similarly underrepresented at the level of township and district commissioners and county superintendents/development superintendents” the statement said.
They also implore the Boakai led government to do its utmost to appoint more women to these positions.
The statement added that, Women organizations and networks stand ready to support the government to identify suitable candidates for appointed positions at local and national level.
Liberian women, the statement indicated, are deeply concerned at the persistence of harmful traditional practices, patriarchal attitudes and deep-rooted stereotypes regarding the roles and responsibilities of women and men.
The statement said, to promote more transformative changes for gender equality and women’s empowerment, they implore the Boakai administration to commit to supporting legislative reforms to address the issue of women’s underrepresentation, women’s sexual and reproductive health and rights.
The statement pointed out that, the electoral reform bill and the Public Health Bill are two key pieces of Legislation which could help address women’s marginalization from politics and public life and provide women with more reproductive choices and freedoms, as well as reduce maternal mortality.
The statement emphasized that, institutional reforms and appropriate investments are also sorely needed to address the scourge of violence against women and girls in this country, prevent violence, and end the culture of impunity.
60% of Liberian women and girls, according to the statement, have experienced physical violence, almost 10% have experienced sexual violence and cases of feticide appear to be on the increase.
“We also know how important agricultural reform will be to this administration and hope that policies and programs will include a specific focus on empowering rural women and women in agriculture and the agricultural value chain,” the statement noted.
The statement underscored the need to conduct a nationwide reconciliation after the 2023 General and Presidential Election which is paramount, taking into consideration the dissemination of Mis-information and Dis-information during and after the elections, that has the propensity to disrupt the fragile peace we now enjoy.
“Therefore, as we transition to a new leadership, we commit to remain peaceful. We reaffirm our commitment to uphold the rule of law and work closely with the government to ensure that the Liberian Women’s Agenda is prioritized.”
“It is our ardent hope that all Liberians will remain productively committed to work collectively in the interest of all Liberians. We look forward to a government that will not be compromised for individual ambitions,” the statement added.
“Allegiance to Liberia must remain the common denominator for sustaining peace and the pursuit of development,” the statement added.
The Women NGOs Secretariat of Liberia also requested a meeting with President Boakai to present its position to the President of Liberia.
At the same time, the Women NGOs Secretariat of Liberia in collaboration with its network organizations congratulated President Joseph Nyuma Boakai and Vice President Jeremiah Koung, the Unity Party and its collaborating parties for their election during the 2023 General and Presidential Elections.
